And You Want These People to Run Healthcare -- part VII

While I understand the debate between New York Governor David Paterson and New York senators involves state-level and not federal-level politicians, you can't read this story and not fret what might come if we allow politicians on any level to run the health care system in this country.

Since two dissident Democratic senators teamed up with Republicans to form a coalition government and oust Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, angry Democrats have refused to take part in Senate sessions and have hidden bills and agendas from the coalition.

These knuckleheads are so dysfunctional that the governor has to throw a hissy fit and send the senators to their rooms over the weekend and holidays if the senators don't get over their hissy fit.

"If the senators do not cooperate with this order (for a special legislative session), I will convene a special session everyday until they do," Paterson said. "That includes Saturdays and Sundays, that includes Fourth of July. There will be no excuses, and there will be no tolerance to non-compliance to this order."

While the governor can't force senators to vote on or debate bills, the New York Constitution grants him the power to call a special legislative session – and experts say he can even keep the senators in the state house with the help of state police.

Without comment on the merits of any side in this spitting match, do you really want people this narcissistic and self-involved to make decisions that will directly affect your ability to deal with illness or injury in yourself or your family?

Not me; I will stick with Blue Cross, thank you very much.

Obama is Nothing if Not Inconsistent

Back in March, President Obama assured us that terrorists would not be read their Miranda rights.

And two months after his Inauguration, President Obama reiterated, "Now, do these folks deserve miranda rights? Do they deserve to be treated like a shoplifter down the block? Of course not."

Well, in the last two months, Obama seems to have changed his mind.

For, the Obama Justice Department has quietly ordered FBI agents to read Miranda rights to high value detainees captured and held at U.S. detention facilities in Afghanistan, according a senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee.

And then, there is his hard line on spending:

"The 'pay-as-you-go' rule is very simple," Obama said. "Congress can only spend a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere."

Last month Obama suggested a tougher plan that would prohibit Congress from swelling the deficit in one year by putting off until later years the tax increases or spending cuts to pay for it.

Except, of course, when it comes to his own priorities:

President Barack Obama on Tuesday proposed budget rules that would allow Congress to borrow tens of billions of dollars and put the nation deeper in debt to jump-start the administration's emerging health care overhaul.

Why bother being consistent and keep your word if no one in the mainstream media will hold you to it.

Roughly twice as much of the (media) coverage of Obama (44%) has concerned his personal and leadership qualities than was the case for Bush (22%) or Clinton (26%). Less of the coverage, meanwhile, has focused on his policy agenda.

Why bother commenting on Obama's proposals when you can gush about Michelle's arms?